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Elgar (arr. Jones) - Salut d’amour (Op.12)

ABRSM Grade 3 – B1

Elgar’s famous violin melody is transcribed for piano by Richard Jones in a setting that requires careful balance between the two hands, as well as control of tone in the left hand. Use of the pedal is essential. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 3 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced... Read >>

Haydn (arr. White) - Andante (2nd mvt from Trumpet Concerto in E-, Hob. VIIe:1)

ABRSM Grade 3 – B2

This arrangement by Martin White of the slow movement from Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto contains few notes, giving the player the opportunity to feel the symmetry of the music and to shape the right hand phrases melodically. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 3 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission... Read >>

M. Praetorius (arr. Jones) - Gavotte in G (from Terpsichore)

ABRSM Initial Grade – A2

Players will be interested that this lively dance in duple time was written around 400 years ago. What sort of costumes might the dancers be wearing, and what sort of steps might they be making? A little online research will yield some answers to feed the imagination. The p-f dynamic contrasts and changes in articulation present worthy challenges for the player at this level.... Read >>

Trad. English (arr. Blackwell) - This Old Man

ABRSM Initial Grade – A3

That all English children are bound to know this nursery rhyme will certainly make the note learning easier. In David Blackwell’s clever arrangement, the right hand moves between five-finger positions on D and C, the left hand staying in the C position. The player will need to master varying touches between the hands and keep a close eye on the differences when the same phrases return, varied.... Read >>

Schein (arr. Snell) - Allemande

An allemande is a serious, noble dance in moderate time, very common in baroque suites. In this video, I explore some possibilities for touch, articulation and dynamics, as well as outlining the structure and shape of the piece. Developing an understanding of compositional devices (such as sequence and modulation, etc.) in the early stages of our musical journey will help us appreciate how music is built, which in turn speeds up the learning process as we become more advanced. Resources & links Click... Read >>

H. Wohlfahrt (arr. Jones) - Patterns (No. 10 from Kinder-Klavierschule)

ABRSM Initial Grade – A3

Heinrich Wohlfahrt’s Patterns (No. 10 from Kinder-Klavierschule) is a beginner’s piece in a five-finger position throughout, making it easy from the perspective of reading and position shifts and yet challenging - as part of a foundation for skilful piano playing we must not fall into the trap of fixing the hand and playing from the fingers. More advanced players can use this piece for a variety of other purposes as demonstrated in this video! Resources & links ... Read >>

Trad. Chinese (arr. Yip) - Kangding Love Song

ABRSM Grade 2 – B3

Kanding Love Song is a traditional Chinese song featuring a pentatonic melody in the right hand against an Alberti-style accompaniment in the left. The player will need to listen carefully to the tonal balance between the hands, projecting the melodic line with attention to the articulation and hairpin crescendo-diminuendo markings. In the second part of the piece we find dialogue as one hand answers the other. This piece calls for imagination and delicacy of touch. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links ... Read >>

Beethoven (arr. Czerny) - Écossaise in G, WoO 23

ABRSM Grade 2 – A1

In this bouncy Écossaise by Beethoven the player needs to distinguish between two different types of staccato - the ordinary dot and the sharper, more accented dash (or wedge). We find several slurs, to be played using a down-up motion generated by the arm; release the final note of each slur, making it softer and slightly shorter than its written value. Bring out the humour of the piece by enjoying Beethoven’s cheeky dissonances and high-spirited syncopations. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Joplin (arr. Önaç) - The Entertainer

ABRSM Grade 3 - C3

Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer is surely among the most well-known rags of all time. This clever arrangement by David Önaç makes the piece accessible to the elementary player. Problems feeling the syncopations in the right hand can be solved by clapping the rhythm of the melodic line while counting the four beats of the bar out aloud. A steady left hand is essential to bring out the character. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>